Our Team
Meet the faces behind one of New Jersey's best mortgage businesses
That's why it's important we have the most dedicated, trustworthy people here in our office. There's a reason why NJBIZ listed Petra Cephas as the 14th Ranked Mortgage Broker in New Jersey for 2016. Our mortgage experts are ready to make your mortgage experience a stress-free one!
*Hover over or click the photos to learn more about our team members!
Mamta is the Processing Manager for Petra Cephas and has been with the company since 2014. A local New Jersey native, Mamta attended Rutgers University and graduated with her Bachelor’s in Human Resources & Economics. While at Rutgers University, Mamta was a proud member of the Kappa Phi Gamma, Sorority Inc. In her free time, Mamta enjoys arts & crafts, traveling, and spending time with her family.
A Jersey native, Melissa grew up in the small town of Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey. She graduated from Rutgers University in May 2020, where she studied Strategic Communications and Environmental Studies. Melissa is passionate about all things PR and takes great care in creating content that is both impactful and creative.
When not at work Melissa loves to travel and considers herself a bit of a nomad at times. While she loves experiencing the world's beauty, she can't imagine being too far from her cat Hazel for too long. Some of her hobbies include creative writing, cooking for her friends and family, and watching lots of period pieces.
Robert Tissot is a Mortgage Loan Originator for Petra Cephas. His hard work ethic landed him within a trade position for several years before joining our team.
After trying to find an industry to make his mark, Robert’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the mortgage business. He uses his meticulous attention to detail, and knowledge of the mortgage industry to place his clients in the best financial situation. As a broker our allegiance is solely to the client, not one specific lender, We leverage the best programs possible for our clients through our large network of lenders.
Born and raised in New Jersey, he is a dedicated Giants fan. In his free time, Robert enjoys playing basketball and spending time with family. Robert looks forward to building his client relationships with us and you.
Tom Abbate is a Senior Loan Originator for Petra Cephas. With over sixteen years of experience in the residential mortgage industry, he is a seasoned veteran and has garnered significant knowledge of the mortgage process. Prior to his work at Petra Cephas, Tom had the honor of originating loans for numerous mortgage companies such as First Choice Bank, People’s Bank and Home Point Financial. Aside from work, Tom is a loving husband and father of four beautiful children.
With 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Erez has the knowledge and dedication required to provide the ideal financing options to his borrowers here New Jersey. Petra Cephas's competitive loan financing rates, combined with our state-of-the-art technology and dedicated support staff, enable him to provide borrowers with one or more customized loan options while minimizing any stress they may feel. In addition, since Petra Cephas is a dedicated mortgage broker, he can offer a wider selection of loan products than many banking institutions. These include conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo and renovation loans. Thank you in advance for the opportunity to assist you with one of life's most important financial transactions.
Bishoi Nageh (NMLS #207199) is the President and CEO of Petra Cephas: Residential Mortgage Brokers. With over seventeen years of experience, Bishoi provides valuable insight and perspective on the home purchasing process to hundreds of clients year-round. Bishoi has developed a unique ability to keep clients calm throughout the process.While still maintaining its essence as a boutique firm, Petra Cephas was ranked the 14th best mortgage broker in 2017 according to NJBIZ.
John Kozman (NMLS #1641411) is a Loan Originator for Petra Cephas. With over 12 years working hands on with clients from various roles, he found his love for the Mortgage Industry. Before becoming a licensed loan originator, John worked as a loan coordinator which allowed him to methodically control the mortgage process, leaving clients at peace every step of the way.
As an avid traveler, John met and became friends with amazing people from all different cultures and backgrounds. New Jersey, one of the most diverse states on the East Coast, will always be his home. He loves how unique all of his New Jersey clients are. His ability to fully understand people from different walks of life has helped him achieve wonderful goals for his clients. Growing up watching and playing sports, he learned how important it is to be a team player, there is no I in team. Communication, Trust, Loyalty, and Empathy are some of Johns “codes of life”. It is an amazing feeling to love what you do. John has a passion for helping people achieve their dreams, especially buying a home. “Home is where the heart is.”
Nora Doyle graduated cum laude from Fordham University in May 2020 with a major in New Media and Digital Design, and a minor in Marketing. She is passionate about building communities around brands based on authenticity, transparency, and trust. Nora also has a diverse creative background including illustration, graphic design, photography, videography, handlettering, website design, and UX design. In her free time, she loves to hike, ski, and make crocheted gifts for her friends and family.
Stephanie Kyth is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University and has three years of experience in the mortgage industry doing both processing and sales. She also worked as a real estate agent, so she is knowledgeable with all sides of the homebuying transaction. Stephanie speaks both English and Spanish, making her a trusted asset for bilingual borrowers. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys cooking, traveling, and watching movies with her family. She also runs the Etsy store Skyncare By Sky, where she sells handmade herbal soaps and other skincare products.
Tina Shah has completed her MBA with a major in Marketing and has over 12 years of experience in Sales and Marketing with 5 years of experience in financial industry. She is a Processing Aide at Petra Cephas, assisting the Loan Processors and Loan Officers.She is a dedicated and focused team player who excels in prioritizing,completing multiple tasks simultaneously and following through to achieve project goals. In her free time she likes to go hiking, party and spend time with family and friends.
With over ten years in consultative roles, Antonio uses his work and personal experiences to navigate his clients through the ever changing and sometimes complex loan process. He is proud to provide local market knowledge, home buyer education, competive rates/closing costs, and quick turn around times. Prior to his career as a loan officer, Antonio coached college football at Hofstra and Rutgers.
